The Impact of the Water Crisis on Families Around the World

For those of us fortunate enough to have reliable daily access to clean, potable water, doing without that basic necessity can be difficult to imagine. Unfortunately, for many people around the world, lack of clean water is a daily reality. Water scarcity around the globe is a real problem, and the drinking of improperly sanitized water leads to roughly half a million human deaths each year. Many groups around the world are working to solve the ongoing water crisis, but there is still a long way to go before normal access to clean water is a global norm. 

Brief overview of the global water crisis 

Globally, drinking water is far more available now than it has been at any point in human history, however, the situation is still quite dire for nearly two billion people around the world. Some of the most common problems facing developing nations when it comes to water treatment are lack of proper waste treatment and sanitation facilities, high levels of sediment, industrial waste, or other contaminants, and a lack of economic infrastructure to address these problems. Especially in small, rural communities within developing countries, water treatment can be basically non-existent, forcing individuals to either buy expensive bottled water (if it is even available), rely on a water delivery service, or risk their health by drinking and bathing in dirty water. 

Statistics on global water scarcity 

As of 2022, roughly 1.7 billion people globally used a drinking water source that was contaminated with human fecal waste, according to the World Health Organization.1 The improper disposal and treatment of human waste is the leading cause of drinking-water related fatalities worldwide. Human and animal waste are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, cysts, and all manner of parasites. There are many other sources of danger in untreated water, but by far the most widespread and dangerous current problems stem from raw sewage, and a lack of proper sanitation facilities to deal with it. 

During the same year, (2022), roughly 73% of the world’s population (or about 6 billion people) had reliable access to a safe, well-maintained water distribution system. It should be stated how incredible an achievement this is, as modern water treatment plants only date back a little over a century, meaning that in just over a hundred years, nearly ¾ of the world’s populace has gained access to clean drinking water. Nearly 2 billion people lack this amenity, however, so there is a lot of work yet to be done. 

Health Impacts 

Water contaminants can have a wide range of effects on the human body, from indigestion in very mild cases, to death in the most extreme. Some of the most dangerous risks include heavy metals, industrial pollutants, and microbial organisms. All of these can have hugely negative effects on the body; experts at Allfilters states that there are thousands of potential contaminants in water, both natural and synthetic, and among the worst dangers are lead and other heavy metals, and microbial threats such as E. Coli. 

Prevalence of waterborne diseases 

According to the National Institute of Health, roughly four billion cases of illness arising from contact with contaminated water led to nearly three and a half million deaths each year.2 Put simply, unless we are actively and constantly working to keep water safe and potable, it will start to become unsafe. 

Effects on child mortality and maternal health 

Children and pregnant mothers are among those most affected by contaminated water. H2O is a necessary ingredient for just about every stage of our cellular growth, development, and apoptosis, or natural cell death. Our bodies are constantly undergoing these processes, and they need water to carry them out. If the water we are taking in is filled with pollutants, those contaminants are introduced into us on a cellular level. Babies and young children need the best food, care, and nourishment possible, and they are most vulnerable to the threats posed by any sort of waterborne contaminant. 

Long-term health implications of poor water quality 

Drinking poor quality water for a long enough period can lead to any number of health conditions, up to and including death. Some of the most common problems associated with drinking untreated water are gastrointestinal problems caused by bacterial infection or parasites, with many people dying from dehydration brought on by diarrhea.  

Economic Impacts 

The difficulties of lacking access to clean water aren’t only physical and health-related. There are economic and financial stressors as well. Unfortunately, big solutions to these problems–water treatment plants, massive investments in new infrastructure–can cost billions of dollars, and is not something easily done. 

Impact on household income and economic activities 

If one doesn’t have access to clean water, then securing that access is your number one daily priority, with food a close second. It’s very difficult to even begin to think of something like economic stability if one does not have access to water. Even when water is available, but only in the form of costly water delivery services or bottled water, there is a clear economic impact. 

Cost of accessing clean water 

In many parts of the world, access to clean water within one and the same region, state, or even city can differ dramatically. This can be down to geographical factors, nearby industries or use cases, but it also often comes down to lack of equitable access to treated water.   

Effects on agriculture and food security 

When water isn’t available, food is often swift to follow. In times of drought, crops suffer, and a lack of well-maintained infrastructure in water treatment usually translates to a similar lack in agriculture. Conversely, whatever toxins or chemicals are lurking within our water will eventually find their way into our food. When water is taken care of, everything down the line benefits. 

Solutions and Initiatives 

The first and most important step is for local communities struggling with access to clean water to educate themselves on water contaminants and water filtration. Only with an understanding of the problem can we work towards a solution. There are a swiftly growing number of humanitarian groups dedicated to getting potable water to everyone, so there is no shortage of good will–it is simply a problem on a massive scale, and not one that can be swiftly or individually solved. 

The Bottom Line  

Water is life, but it also carries disease and death within itself, and without constant attention and supervision, it can be the cause of much suffering. However, with an understanding of the types of contaminants to be on the lookout for, ways to avoid them, and some basic filtration technology and technique, water can be tamed. Doing it on a global scale is very difficult, clearly, but it is a goal well worth striving towards.